Overview

Comprehensive Description

Biology

Found in seasonal pools and streams (Ref. 3788). Used for biological control of mosquitoes. Quite popular with aquarists. One of the so called 'annual fishes' which has eggs that can withstand seasonal droughts (Ref. 1739). Bottom spawner, 3-4 months incubation. Difficult to maintain in an aquarium (Ref. 27139).

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Life History and Behavior

Life Cycle

Thrives in seasonal rainwater pools. Spawns throughout the short breeding period until the pool dries up and all fish die except their drought-resistant eggs. Eggs go through a dry period of many weeks. When rain comes and pool fills, most of the eggs begin to develop and hatch within hours. Fry grow very fast. In only 6 to 8 weeks they are sexually mature and start breeding (Ref. 7062). In aquaria, males showed aggressive behavior toward each other. Females were being pushed down to the substratum by the males as a prelude to spawning.

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Life Expectancy

Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

Maximum longevity: 2.3 years (captivity) Observations: These animals show a gradual ageing process and live on average one year in captivity. One male lived 2.3 years. Animals that mature later tend to live longer (Markofsky and Perlmutter 1972). An increasing mortality with age and numerous age-related changes have been described in these animals (Genade et al. 2005).

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Wikipedia

Redtail notho

The redtail notho (Nothobranchius guentheri) is a species of fish in the Aplocheilidae family. It is endemic to Tanzania. Its natural habitats are intermittent rivers and intermittent freshwater marshes. The redtail notho eats mosquito larvae and other planktonic creatures. Scientists are looking at introducing the species elsewhere in Africa to help with malaria prevention. As with other "peat spawner" killifish, pairs or small groups spawn by repeatedly pushing into the substrate and releasing and fertilising a single egg. During the dry season when the temporary pools of water the fish inhabit dry up and the adult fish perish, specially adapted proteins in the chorion of the eggs are triggered to retain moisture, thereby ensuring the next generation of fish last until the rains return and the fry can hatch. This species is sometimes encountered in the aquarium trade. Eggs have a dry incubation of between 8 and 12 weeks, but most hatch after 9 weeks.